Christie Administration Announces Approval of Four Charter Schools to Open in September

For Immediate Release

Contact: Michael Yaple
David Saenz

Date: July 15, 2015

609-292-1126

Trenton, NJ – More New Jersey students and families will have access to high-quality public school options, as the New Jersey Department of Education today granted final approval for four charter schools to open in September for the 2015-2016 school year.

"These charter school approvals directly align with the mission of the Department to ensure that all children, regardless of zip code, receive a high-quality public education," said Education Commissioner David Hespe. "This Administration has made expanding high-quality public school options a priority for the students and parents of New Jersey and these charter schools will provide enhanced opportunities for our students to succeed."

In order to receive the granting of a charter, each charter school applicant team must meet the Department's rigorous multi-stage approval process. After receiving initial application approval, the Department conducts a "preparedness visit" and reviews the school's academic and operational components to ensure that the charter school applicant has the capacity to provide a high-quality educational program from the first day of school. The Commissioner and Department staff review this information to determine which applicants will receive their final charter to open their doors in September.

The Christie Administration has shown its commitment to both increasing high-quality public school options for students while ensuring charter schools are held to the highest standards. With the opening of these four charter schools in September, there will be a total of 89 charter schools operating in New Jersey. Since 2010, the Department will have opened 39 new charter schools and closed 17 of the lowest-performing schools for poor academic performance or organizational and fiscal issues.